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Presenters


Welcome to a celebration of local people who share a love of books!  Meet local authors and view their amazing books in our Vendors' Hall and hear distinguished presenters who are set to illuminate and inspire your creativity
and your next favourite reading adventure.
Our lineup of presenters and panel members is unfolding.

 WANDA GRAY  - Presenter  - Room A 
   12:00 pm to 12:45 pm

Wanda Gray describes herself as an “unfortunate expert” in the world of trauma, addiction, and loss after being on the frontline as a mother with a child who suffered from substance use caused by deep trauma.  Gray’s recently released memoir/cautionary tale Broken Butterfly is the true story of her daughter Erin Gray, who was lured, held hostage by, and eventually escaped from a serial predator. Parts elegy, true-crime chronicle, and self-help manual, Broken Butterfly removes the stigma from drug addiction, reminds those suffering that they are not alone, and provides practical resources for support. Told in a dual point of view, this re-telling follows the twists and turns of two women navigating a dangerous and terrifying road: one, the mother desperately trying to stop a terrible outcome, and one, the daughter and guiding light who helped write this book in spirit.
Wanda Gray completed the creative writing program at the University of Saskatchewan and has been writing human interest articles and short stories for print and online publications for more than thirty years.  And now this book, Broken Butterfly. She lives in North Saanich, British Columbia with her family. 

MONIQUE JACOB - Panel Member 
     11:00 am to11:45 am  Room A               


Monique Jacob was born in Iserlohn, Germany. She developed a passion for storytelling at a young age, influenced by the rich cultural heritage of her surroundings, which laid the foundation for her career as an author.
Monique is known for her work in science fiction, contemporary, and young adult genres. She has published several well-received novels, including:  Bright Light (2015): Tye Dye Voodoo (2012): Voodoo Mystery Tour (2013): 

Contributing Author to Anthology For A Green Planet (2013), UnValentine Anthology (2014), Blood Moon Rising Anthology (2017), The Platinum Collection (2023) – short stories, various themes, and articles to various publications, including Amazing Stories Magazine.

JAY TAYLOR - Panel Member 
     11:00 am to11:45 am  Room A              

 Jason A. N. Taylor loves ideas and thinking but has struggled with being read because of dyslexia. Taking inspiration from his parents, both of whom are dyslexic, and with the help of teachers, Jay has persevered and flourished.
Having been the fat and slow kid, Jay strives for equity and compassion. Jay loves nature and sees as much nature in urban owls as in remote, unpeopled places.
Jay lives in Victoria near his favourite places to be, fishing on the Salish Sea or looking for owls on Lək̓ʷəŋən territory. Jason’s day job is as a Safety Professional, where he puts to use his many stories of touching the hot stove, falling off chairs, and tripping on stuff. Jay's successful novel "Owls, Doughnuts, and Democracy" has recently been followed by another novel of satire,, "Security, and Other Shitty Jobs". 

Zoe Duff - Panel Host
- Room B

2:45 pm to 3:30 pm

 
Zoe Duff is a member of the Professional Editors' Association of Vancouver Island and the Federation of BC Writers.  She is the current Managing Director of Filidh Publishing Corp and Facilitator of the Eclectic Writers' Boot Camp and Friendly Authors Networking Socials (F, A, N, S.). 
  She is the author of five Adult books:
The Tantra of Chimera (short stories/erotica, 2004), 
A Matter of Perspective  (thriller/erotica,2009),
Words that went Unspoken: Vision of Two Hearts (poetry, 2006),
Love Alternatively Expressed - the scoop on practicing polyamory in Canada (non-fiction, 2014), UnTethered (poetry, 2021).,  and her most recent, The Awakening of Meeachan Park (novella, speculative fiction/magical realism, 2024 - under the pseudonym Elle Hawkweed)
 And she is the author of ten
Children's books:
Pirates of the Black Rose Activity Book  (illustrated story, colouring pages and activities under the pseudonym Captain Theodora Quillplank, 2023)
The Class Menagerie Series:  Lambiepie, Scotty Mouse and the House That Roared, Lambiepie and Billy Badger, Emerson's Flight and Kaida of Fyrefly Hearth. (illustrated books, 2003 to 2020)
The Class Menagerie:  The First Week (illustrated anthology, 2022)
The Adventures of the Infamous Mrs. McGuillicudy and
Mrs. McGuillicudy and the Boy Called Fish. (novel series, 2003)
Zoe also has contributed short stories to
Anthology for a Green Planet (short stories, 2014),
The UnValentine Anthology (short stories, 2015) and
Blood Moon Rising Anthology (short stories, 2016) 

FRANK WILSON - Presenter  - Room B
11:00 am to 11:45 am 
 

Frank Wilson  - author, poet and presenter
Frank  - who is a retired university professor from the UK, has been living in Victoria since 2008.  In recent years he has published three books of short stories, one history book, and six collections of poetry including his “Oak Bay and Not far Away” (2023 and reprinted 2024).
He has received writing awards and been published in magazines and anthologies in both Canada and the UK, and made many presentations to service clubs and community organizations. His first book of short stories  “Nowt to do with Me” was recently republished by Tusitala Victoria.  
His new collection of poetry “Looking for the Words” will be available mid-2025. All revenue from his book sales and presentations is donated to his charities.  His current main charity is Alzheimers BC.  

 

KAREN LEE WHITE - Presenter  
Room B  1:45 pm to 2:30 pm

Karen Lee White is Northern Salish, Tuscarora, Chippewa and Scots and lives on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. A proud member the Daklaweidi Wolf Clan of the Interior Tlingit/Tagish people of Carcross Tagish First Nation, Karen’s first novel 'The Silence' (2018 Exile Editions) went into a second printing within weeks of release. In 2018. Karen was commissioned by the Banff for Fables for the 21st Century, a special edition, and in 2017 she was awarded an Indigenous Art Award for writing by the Hnatyshyn Foundation. Her work has appeared in Exile Editions That Damned Beaver anthology, Bawajigaan anthology, EXILE/EQ Magazine, Mother, the Verb, Impact: Colonialism in Canada, and other literary journals.'Bonewalker', a prequel to 'The Silence', was published in 2023. In 2024 she was commissioned by Kidscan Press to re-write 'Aboriginal Peoples in Canada'. A playwright, she has been commissioned by theatres in Vancouver and Victoria. 

 

JESSIE BLAIR - Panel Member 
     11:00 am to11:45 am  Room A           

 Jessie Blair is of Indigenous mixed descent—Mohawk, Scottish, and Irish—and firmly believes that everyone is creative and a leader in their own life. She is currently completing her Bachelor’s degree, set to graduate in Spring 2026, with plans to pursue a Master’s in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Jessie is a member of the Canadian Positive Psychology Association and runs a Patreon community called *Jessie’s Creativity Den*, where she encourages people to explore their creativity and share their stories. Her work has been published in several anthologies by Filidh Publishing, Caitlin Press, and Penchant Press.
For Jessie, creativity isn’t just about making art—it’s about building community, amplifying voices, and standing up against the forces that try to silence them.

RON KEARSE - Panel Host - Room A
11:00 am to 11:45 am
 


Ron Kearse is a Canadian author known for his work in the fiction genre, particularly in themes that explore human experience and relationships. Raised in a military family, he lived a nomadic life in which he lived in most parts of Canada. This had a profound influence on his life and as a result, his writing reflects a deep understanding of storytelling, which resonates with readers and makes his characters relatable and memorable. He lives in Victoria with his partner, James. 

JANE BOW - Presenter - Room B
12:00 pm to 12:45 pm

Jane Bow is a writer with four novels published, three of which have been shortlisted for awards. Her most recent book, Homeless, was a finalist in Britain’s international 2024 Rubery Book Awards. Jane has taught creative writing at Trent University and Ontario’s Haliburton School For The Arts and has done readings and presentations on her work in Canada, the U.S., Britain, and India. 

 

J.F. MCDERMOTT - Presenter
- Room A

1:45 pm to 2:30 pm


 JF McDermott is a disability advocate, inventor, humorist, and loving father. For the past twenty-nine years, he has been advocating for his daughter and other people living with developmental disabilities. In the year 2000, following the initiative to create the Child Services Equity Act, he received a publication grant from Royal Roads University to produce the experiential report titled Direct Democracy, BC’s Initiative Act Repair Manual. He has also published various articles and writing unrelated to disability. McDermott’s background as a maintenance technician and engineer gave him the skills and knowledge needed to create the CareChanger, an innovative, award-winning, revolution in personal care for wheelchair users. He lives on Bear Mountain in Langford, British Columbia

George Pesut - Presenter
- Room A

2:45 pm to 3:30 pm

 George Pesut  is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played 92 games in the National Hockey League for the California Golden Seals over two seasons. He also played 17 games in the World Hockey Association with the Calgary Cowboys during the 1976–77 season. The rest of his 21-year career was mainly spent in Europe.
Best Defenceman Award, Western Canada Hockey League (WCHL Major Junior) 1972–73 season;
WCHL All-Star Team, 1972–73;
Voted the Best Defenceman in Swiss hockey three consecutive seasons;
German Championship winner with Berlin, first team All-Star for consecutive seasons in Germany.